LeMond Bicycles Tete de Course

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Vitesse Cycle

Favorite Ride:
Miles of Smiles 100

Bike Setup:
Stock except for Vredestein TriComp Tires

Summary:
Picked up this bike 3 1/2 weeks ago, all stock components except tires. I put on Vredestein TriComp tires (blue color). I have about 1000 miles on it. The ride, the fit, the handling, the way it climbs hills, the Dura Ace components all make for an effortless ride. I LOVE IT! The bike envy factor from other riders is icing on the cake.

Strengths:
Can go on long rides and not wear you down, very rider friendly. And fast!

Weaknesses:
I haven't found one yet.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez A-1 Elite

Price Paid:  $2900.00 at Team issue

Favorite Ride:
Assault on Mount Mitchell, SC to NC

Bike Setup:
Campagnolo Record 10 Gruppo; Ouzo Pro carbon fork; Bontrager wheels, handlebars, stem; Look pedals

Summary:
The overall handling of the Lemond Tete de Course is unbelievable. It is stiff, with little road shock, climbs and sprints extremely well. I rode a custom made to measure steel frame (later w/ carbon fork) for years that fit me like a glove and took me through dozens of fast criteriums and road races - handled like dream. I was concerned that my new Lemond would not match this. I couldn't have been more wrong! In the 3 months I owned the Lemond Tete de Course, I've raced it 15 times. I've dived into corners, sprinted for primes, climbed with breakaways - unbelievably the bike handles even better than my old one. The Campy Record gruppo is the icing on the cake, shifting is flawless, in the middle of a sprint or under full load on a steep climb. If you race, this bike will make you faster.

Strengths:
The geometry minimizes fatigue on long rides.

Weaknesses:
None that I have seen so far.

Similar Products Used:
Custom-built Columbus SLX race bike; Peugeot PX10; Bianchi; Kramer; Raleigh Gran Sport

Price Paid:  $145000.00 at Bike Lane, North Hou

Favorite Ride:
Alamo Challenge/200 miles

Bike Setup:
I have the kysirrium ssc race wheels with continental grandprix 3000 tires, Specialized body geomete

Summary:
I Bought the Buenos Aires over the apl D' Huez for two reasons 1. the color red and the Ultegra group set. I am glad I did the Bike has out performed all others in its group and frame level. I ride long rides all season and ride an average of 200 to 250 miles a week (8 year veteran cyclist, ex smoker 10 years ago). The group set can stand up to my hard rides on Texas roads and highways. I had the handle bars raised after I bought the bike. One month after purchasing the bike I had neck surgery, Two weeks later I was riding with the blessings of my doctor, short rides less than 5 miles. The ride is nice and stable. I have done several upgrades since purchasing the bike and do plan on purchasing a Lemond Titanium bike soon. The Tete de Course is my next race bike. I don't think any person can go wrong with this bike it rides great and is forgiving off the showroom floor. Even before my upgrades the the bike left me wanting to log more miles even when exhaustion was long past consumming my energy. As soon as I get off my bike I want to get on and ride more. I rode in a 200 mile race this weekend of 10-26/27-2002 for the American Lung Association fund raiser ride from Houston to San Antonio in a torrential rains on both days and the bike never failed me. When we arrived in our sat nite destination I had dinner and went for a 15 mile ride, I can not get enough hours on this bike. If it fits your body geometery it will make cycleing an addiction like it did for me. I have had other bikes and have been dissappointed in the rides and geometery but this one has changed all of that for me!!!!!! E-mail me if you want more information..... P.S. a lot of racers in Texas have this bike for racing and training.

Strengths:
Price is affordable gives entry level a great bike and a veteran rider a great bike at a great price with room to upgrade.Ultregra group, Carbon fork, smooth ride, Geometric layout for so many men that miss this frame because of price, looks, name not familiar, etc. Bike seems very well built and thought out. The group level is above the wheels. But if you are a new rider it is an excellent starter level bike that keeps you from being left by the group of riders and wheels or the sensible upgrade with this bike without breaking your piggy bank. It is an excellent midlevel bike for anyone from beginner to veteran racer. Also if you are going to do lots of hill climbing I would suggest the triple chainring to help push the steel frame up steep inclines, at 45 it saves the old creaky knees.

Weaknesses:
The Bontrager Select Wheels Upgrade is a must. I went to Mavic Kyserrium SSC with Mavic hubs the bike is lighting fast now, the seat had to go, I went with a reliable specialized body geometery. Also the spf petals are not for long distance riders go with a larger platform petal for comfort. My dealer cut the price to help me out. the petals are great if you ride both montan and road and want to use on pair of ride shoes.

Similar Products Used:
Trek, specialized, cannondale, others and various models to many to mention. I have owned bikes all my life this is be best one I have ever owned for rideablity.

Price Paid:  $3200.00 at private sale by bike

Favorite Ride:
Glenville Hills

Bike Setup:
All stock components except the wheels and saddle. Bike has the new Ksyrium SL wheels [the seller re

Summary:
This bike wonderfully combines the ride qualities of fine steel and carbon. It is the most responsive frame I have ever ridden. The bike is beautifully crafted and components are first rate. A note on sizing: I purchased this bike from a local shop owner who bought it for himself but rode it only once. He normally rides a 56 cm [as do I] but bought a 53 because as he put it " the Lemond rides big." I test rode the bike and it seemed fine- still does; however, after a few hundred miles on the Lemond alternated with a few hundred miles on my Trek [56cm] think I'd prefer a 55cm frame in the Lemond.

Strengths:
Incredibly quick and responsive. Climbs well and is amazingly smooth on rough roads. Probably as close as I'll ever get to the Porsche I've always wanted.

Weaknesses:
None- this is a fantastic bike.

Similar Products Used:
Also ride a Trek OCLV carbon and an Peugeot PX 10 made from Reynolds 531 throughout

Price Paid:  $0.00 at private party

Favorite Ride:
Cabot Trail

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace, Ksyriums, Heliums and Cosmics, Thompson post with layback, Vittoria Open Corsa clinchers,

Summary:
"Ti is the ultimate ride" sounds like such a cliche...until you ride it. It really does roll smooth with less road buzz than any other material. The ride of a luxury sedan with the acceleration of a sports car. The first bike that I've never had a sore back with at some point in my season.

Strengths:
Ride quality and handling. No noticeable or negative flex or ft der rub while sprinting. Yes it's slightly heavier than comparable alu or carbon but the reduced fatigue level for the rider balances this out and makes for a more enjoyable ride.
Top notch welds, nice paintwork, extra touches like a pumppeg. The "wow" factor when casual onlookers realize it's Ti. Comparable to anyone else's best Ti technically but for a little less coin.

Weaknesses:
QR nut pretty tight fit as it passes the rr der mounting bolt when removing rr wheel.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5500, Lemond Zurich, Custom-Handbuilt Steel,